BTerrell Group Blog

This is the first post in our four-part “Super Powers of the Cloud” series. This post focuses on the “powers” the cloud gives business owners.

At one point in time, cloud computing might have been the stuff of comic books. Today, however, Forbes writer Joe McKendrick predicts that in 2014, “cloud computing is set to become mainstream computing.”

So, if the cloud is set to be mainstream computing, this means non-cloud solutions – such as using a spreadsheet for expense management – are now old-hat, antiquated solutions. If you’re not leveraging cloud-based mobile expense management at your business, you’re seriously limiting your superhuman potential. It’s like running your business as Clark Kent with no option to go Superman on the bit. It’s like choosing to work around kryptonite all day.

If this describes your situation, worry not, because one of the best aspects of the cloud is the ease and rapidity with which it can be implemented and scaled. And once implemented, it can turn any small business owner into a force to be reckoned with. In fact, a recent Microsoft survey revealed that 59% of small and medium-sized businesses reported significant productivity benefits with the adoption of cloud solutions.

Here are three potential superpowers business owners can gain by opting for mobile expense management and business management via the cloud:

The power to read minds

The cloud helps you sync with your team faster than ever before. When members of your team create or update anything, the updates sync automatically and provide real-time access for all relevant team members.

As a business owner, you can spend less time checking in and scheduling meetings simply to be brought up to speed, which also frees up time for your employees. When you have real-time access to data, everyone enters the conversation at the same point. It’s like you’re reading each other’s minds.

You can even read your own mind better. Apps like Evernote ensure that every relevant thought, article, idea – essentially anything you might need later – can be documented and easily accessed whenever you need it from any device. It’s the superhuman memory app.

And speaking of memory, you won’t need it with the Concur mobile app. Business owners get real-time access into all expense forms, expense reports and travel-related items, company-wide. Anything related to your company’s travel and expenses is always at your fingertips.

The power to be omnipresent

With the cloud, you’re essentially in the office no matter where you are. You can access everything with a few clicks of your mouse. A great example of this is the Ping Identity solution, which allows you to sign into all of your business apps at once, including the Concur app.

Mobile expense management from Concur means that you can submit and approve expense reports as they occur. No more giving yourself tasks when you’re back in the office. You can even submit and approve expenses while you’re waiting.

Concur itself is omnipresent as it takes everything travel and expense related and combines it into one solution that allows your entire organization to perform tasks, access real-time data and make informed decisions at any time, from anywhere. It also syncs directly with other on-the-go apps like Quickbooks, Salesforce and more.

The power of superhuman speed

You don’t need a superhuman brain to move, think and react quicker than your human counterparts. With the cloud, you can now accomplish in five minutes what used to take hours. Take banking, for example. Today we don’t need to go to a bank or even use actual money.

Everything can be accomplished via credit card, computer or a mobile device from anywhere, anytime. It’s the same with mobile expense management. Single-item expense reports that used to take 20 minutes and required you to be in the office can now be done in a few seconds by simply reaching into your pocket.

Today, businesses that leverage the cloud have a decided advantage over those that don’t. And it’s not just about faster work, accurate data and real-time collaboration. Talent acquisition and retention goes a long way in determining the success of an organization, and employees are happier when they have access to technology that enables quality, efficient work. How are you using technology to make your business more competitive?